Sentience and pain in invertebrates

Abstract

This report briefly describes the sensory and neural systems of the following invertebrate groups: Mollusca, Echinodermata, Annelida, Insecta, Arachnida, and Crustacea. In addition, cognitive abilities and the neurobiological potential for pain and suffering are presented to the extent this is known from scientific literature. The report ends with a concluding chapter summarizing the findings and discussing the extent to which sentience and pain can be found in the various invertebrate groups. As will be evident from the text, conclusions must be drawn quite cautiously.